{ "id": 11916727, "name": "MARY MARGARET MOORE, Individually, and JOHN TURNER WALSTON, in his representative capacity as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Evan Charles Fowler, Deceased, Plaintiffs, v. DEBORAH LODGE STERN, GLEN ALLEN LODGE, WILLIAM FOWLER and JON R. FOWLER, Dependants", "name_abbreviation": "Moore v. Stern", "decision_date": "1996-04-16", "docket_number": "No. COA95-82", "first_page": "270", "last_page": "274", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "122 N.C. App. 270" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "379 S.E.2d 30", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "37" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "324 N.C. 373", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2483734 ], "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "384" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/324/0373-01" ] }, { "cite": "186 S.E. 356", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1936, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "210 N.C. 321", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626186 ], "year": 1936, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/210/0321-01" ] }, { "cite": "420 S.E.2d 106", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "332 N.C. 276", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2504339 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/332/0276-01" ] }, { "cite": "404 S.E.2d 890", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "892" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "103 N.C. App. 253", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8520313 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "256" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/103/0253-01" ] }, { "cite": "320 S.E.2d 662", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "665" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "312 N.C. 47", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4750626 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "52-53" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/312/0047-01" ] }, { "cite": "419 S.E.2d 572", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "332 N.C. 148", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2506416, 2503602, 2506866, 2503124, 2503162 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/332/0148-01", "/nc/332/0148-05", "/nc/332/0148-02", "/nc/332/0148-03", "/nc/332/0148-04" ] }, { "cite": "416 S.E.2d 401", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "403" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "106 N.C App. 204", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 5314156 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "209" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/106/0204-01" ] }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 5, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(a)" }, { "page": "(b)" }, { "page": "(a)" }, { "page": "(c)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 473, "char_count": 8973, "ocr_confidence": 0.777, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.701012047527744e-07, "percentile": 0.8284239737529099 }, "sha256": "fdab5bb619e231a396f8dd2b13edafbe495ebbafafa792a66f6b606529018439", "simhash": "1:078b94566f7f1345", "word_count": 1513 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:39:52.508825+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges GREENE and MARTIN, Mark D. concur." ], "parties": [ "MARY MARGARET MOORE, Individually, and JOHN TURNER WALSTON, in his representative capacity as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Evan Charles Fowler, Deceased, Plaintiffs, v. DEBORAH LODGE STERN, GLEN ALLEN LODGE, WILLIAM FOWLER and JON R. FOWLER, Dependants." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "McGEE, Judge.\nThe facts in this case are undisputed. Evan Charles Fowler (testator) died testate on 28 November 1992. He was predeceased by his wife, Norma Lodge Fowler, and he left no issue. By his will, dated 18 August 1966, testator left his entire estate to his wife. In the event his wife predeceased him, the will provided as follows:\nItem III\nIn case my wife, Norma Lodge Fowler, shall not survive me, or in the event it will be impossible to determine which of us died first, I make the following disposition of my Estate: I will, devise, and bequeath all of my property of every sort, kind, and description, both real and personal, unto my brother, Franklin Lee Fowler, and to the brother of my wife, Glen Allen Lodge, share and share alike, absolutely and in fee simple. I hereby recognize that there is another brother of mine named Carl Evans Fowler; however, I know his needs are already adequately provided for.\nBoth of testator\u2019s brothers predeceased him. Franklin Lee Fowler left a daughter, plaintiff Mary Margaret Moore, as his sole issue. Carl Evans Fowler left two sons, defendants William Fowler and Jon R. Fowler, as his sole issue. Testator\u2019s brother-in-law, Glen Allen Lodge, also predeceased him, leaving defendants Deborah Lodge Stern and Glen Andrew Lodge as his only issue.\nThe parties agree that pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42(a) (1995 Cum. Supp.), Mary Margaret Moore receives one-half of the estate of the testator by substitution for her father, Franklin Fowler. The parties also agree that because Deborah Lodge Stern and Glen Andrew Lodge are not qualified issue as defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42(b) (1995 Cum. Supp.), Evan Charles Fowler\u2019s testamentary gift to his brother-in-law, Glen Allen Lodge, lapses. Therefore, the sole issue on appeal is the disposition of the lapsed Lodge share.\nPlaintiffs argue this case is controlled by the decision in In re Will of Hubner, 106 N.C App. 204, 416 S.E.2d 401, disc. review denied 332 N.C. 148, 419 S.E.2d 572 (1992). In Hubner, this Court held: \u201cIf the predecessor would have taken a share of a lapsed residuary gift, then the qualified issue may also participate in this lapsed gift.\u201d Hubner, 106 N.C. App. at 209, 416 S.E.2d at 403. Here, plaintiffs contend that Franklin Fowler, had he survived the testator, would have taken the lapsed share of Glen Allen Lodge pursuant to N.C Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42(c)(2) (1995 Cum. Supp.). Therefore,, they argue that his daughter and qualified issue, Mary Margaret Moore, takes the lapsed share.\nDefendants argue Hubner does not control because: 1) Item III of the will is not a residuary clause, and therefore Hubner is inapplicable to this case; and 2) even if Item III is a residuary clause, the Hubner decision should not be followed because the Hubner court incorrectly interpreted the legislative intent behind the 1987 amendment to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42(a) and therefore incorrectly applied N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42 in that case. Under either argument, defendants claim the lapsed share passes by intestacy under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 31-42(c) (1995 Cum. Supp.), and that William Fowler and Jon Fowler, along with Mary Margaret Moore, each take one-third of the lapsed one-half share.\nAs to defendants\u2019 argument that Item III is not a residuary clause, we disagree. A residuary clause is defined as \u201c[a]ny part of the will which disposes of property not expressly disposed of by other provisions of the will.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1309 (6th ed. 1990). \u201cIt is well settled that no particular mode of expression is needed to constitute a residuary clause. All that is required is an adequate indication that a particular clause was intended to dispose of property which was not otherwise disposed of by the Will.\u201d Betts v. Parrish, 312 N.C. 47, 52-53, 320 S.E.2d 662, 665 (1984). Item III of the will states: \u201cI will, devise, and bequeath all of my -property of every sort, kind, and description, both real and personal, . . . .\u201d (emphasis added). Although under the will no property will be distributed before the distribution made under Item III, this does not prevent Item III from being a residuary clause. Regardless of the lack of prior devises or bequests, Item III disposes of all property \u201cnot expressly disposed of by other provisions of the will\u201d and therefore operates as a residuary clause. See Unif. Probate Code \u00a7 2-604, 8 U.L.A. 144 (cmt., Supp. 1995) (\u201cA devise of \u2018all my estate,\u2019 or a devise using words of similar import, constitutes a residuary clause\u201d).\nDefendants further contend that Item III is a specific devise and/or legacy rather than a residuary clause. \u201cA specific legacy is a bequest of a specific article, distinguished from all others of the same kind, pointed out and labeled by the testator . . . .\u201d Edmundson v. Morton, 103 N.C. App. 253, 256, 404 S.E.2d 890, 892 (1991), affirmed, 332 N.C. 276, 420 S.E.2d 106 (1992), quoting Heyer v. Bullock, 210 N.C. 321, 186 S.E. 356 (1936). Here, the will made a gift of all property without designating any particular parcel or article. Item III is not a specific devise.\nAs to defendants\u2019 second argument, they claim Hubner incorrectly interpreted the 1987 amendments to G.S. \u00a7 31-42. Defendants argue the legislative history shows the amendments were meant only to clarify the shares of a class gift available by substitution to qualified issue of deceased class members under G.S. \u00a7 31-41(a), and were not intended to give qualified issue a right to share by substitution in a lapsed residuary gift under G.S. \u00a7 31-42(c). However, even if we were to accept this argument, we are bound by the holding of Hubner. \u201c[A] panel of the Court of Appeals is bound by a prior decision of another panel of the same court addressing the same question, but in a different case, unless overturned by an intervening decision from a higher court.\u201d In the Matter of Appeal from Civil Penalty, 324 N.C. 373, 384, 379 S.E.2d 30, 37 (1989).\nWe hold that Item III is a residuary clause and that this case is controlled by the decision in Hubner. Since Mary Margaret Moore is the qualified issue of Franklin Fowler, who would have taken the lapsed one-half share had he survived the testator, she is entitled to the lapsed share. Because Ms. Moore also takes the one-half share willed to her father, she is the sole heir of the estate of Evan Charles Fowler. The decision of the trial court is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nJudges GREENE and MARTIN, Mark D. concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "McGEE, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Warren, Kerr, Walston, Hollowell & Taylor, L.L.P., by John Turner Walston and David E. Hollowell, for plaintiff-appellees.", "Donald P. Eggleston for defendant-appellants." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "MARY MARGARET MOORE, Individually, and JOHN TURNER WALSTON, in his representative capacity as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Evan Charles Fowler, Deceased, Plaintiffs, v. DEBORAH LODGE STERN, GLEN ALLEN LODGE, WILLIAM FOWLER and JON R. FOWLER, Dependants.\nNo. COA95-82\n(Filed 16 April 1996)\n1. Wills \u00a7 137 (NCI4th)\u2014 item in will as residuary clause\nItem III of testator\u2019s will was a residuary clause where it stated that \u201cI will, devise, and bequeath all of my property of every sort, kind, and description, both real and personal, . . regardless of the lack of prior devises or bequests, Item III disposed of all property not expressly disposed of by other provisions of the will and therefore operated as a residuary clause; and the item made a gift of all property without designating any particular parcel or article and so was not a specific devise and/or legacy rather than a residuary clause.\nAm Jur 2d, Wills \u00a7\u00a7 1539, 1547.\n2. Wills \u00a7 164 (NCI4th)\u2014 anti-lapse statute \u2014 qualified issue \u2014 lapsed residuary gift\nA lapsed one-half share of a residuary gift to testator\u2019s deceased brother-in-law passed to the qualified issue of testator\u2019s brother, the other residuary beneficiary who would have taken the lapsed share had he survived the testator. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 31-42(c)(2).\nAm Jur 2d, Wills \u00a7\u00a7 1671 et seq.\nAppeal by defendants William Fowler and Jon R. Fowler from order entered 3 October 1994 by Judge Paul M. Wright in Wayne County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 24 October 1995.\nPlaintiffs filed this action on 22 June 1994 for a declaratory judgment seeking an interpretation of Evan Charles Fowler\u2019s will. Defendants William Fowler and Jon R. Fowler filed an answer joining in plaintiffs\u2019 petition for interpretation of the will. Defendants Deborah Lodge Stern and Glen Andrew Lodge were served but never answered or appeared, and they have taken no part in this appeal. (Although the official caption lists Glen Allen Lodge as a defendant, a review of the complaint filed and the facts of the case reveal Glen Andrew Lodge is the correct defendant.) Plaintiffs moved for summary judgment, and after a hearing, the trial court entered an order on 3 October 1994 granting summary judgment for the plaintiffs, declaring Mary Margaret Moore to be the sole heir to the estate of Evan Charles Fowler. From this order, defendants appeal.\nWarren, Kerr, Walston, Hollowell & Taylor, L.L.P., by John Turner Walston and David E. Hollowell, for plaintiff-appellees.\nDonald P. Eggleston for defendant-appellants." }, "file_name": "0270-01", "first_page_order": 306, "last_page_order": 310 }